Using Sleeping Aid Medications for Children

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Is it okay to give sleeping medications to young children if they can’t fall asleep?

Dr. Greene’s Answer:

Most children go through one or more periods when they have a great deal of difficulty sleeping.

Often the sleeplessness is linked to sickness or rapid growth, either physical or emotional.

During these times drugs can be used to help children fall asleep or sleep longer, but drugs do not help children deal with the underlying reason for the difficulties sleeping.

In my opinion, it is usually best to try to determine the reason for the sleeping problems and work with the child to improve his or her sleep in natural ways. This may not always be practical and can be especially difficult for families with two working parents.

If a child is being kept up by an illness, and that illness is being treated, medications to promote sleep are quite appropriate and may even speed healing.

Dr. Greene is the founder of DrGreene.com (cited by the AMA as “the pioneer physician Web site”), a practicing pediatrician, father of four, & author of Raising Baby Green & Feeding Baby Green. He appears frequently in the media including such venues as the The New York Times, the TODAY Show, Good Morning America, & the Dr. Oz Show.